"To what effect, Mr. Drummond?" said I. "I would be obliged to you if you would approach your point."
"Ay, ay," says he, laughing, "like your character indeed! and what I most admire in it. But the point, my worthy fellow, is sometimes in a kittle bit." He filled a glass of wine. "Though between you and me, that are such fast friends, it need not bother us long. The point, I need scarcely tell you, is my daughter. And the first thing is that I have no thought in my mind of blaming you. In the unfortunate circumstances, what could you do else? 'Deed, and I cannot tell."
[pg 352] "I thank you for that," said I, pretty close upon my guard.
"I have besides studied your character," he went on; "your talents are fair; you seem to have a moderate competence; which does no harm; and one thing w
